Primary Drive Belts...

[Chronic Cat]

Just wondering what the crowds opinions are on brand names of belts and their quality's.

A little back story first. I have a bone stock 14-M1100T. It has 1200 miles or km on it, I forget where I had it set last. Anyways, it currently has its 4th new belt on it after the cat belt I bought it with new. The sleigh hasn't even seen snow this winter. My own choice for sure Reasons being no snow around here, like less than 4" in the middle of fields and the lack of a way to transport it.

I know now this thing needs help, but I'm not in a position to pay the fat bill after taking it some place at $120 an hour plus parts. I haven't worked much since Christmas. Zero places hiring for work in my trade or other skill set in this province. I'm not prepared to move south the the states just yet. I'm tempted though...

In the last 2 weeks, we've got more fresh snow than we've had all winter. And more in the forecast with warmer weather coming early next week. Be nice to get the sleigh out a bit.

Anywhere local wants upwards of 2 hundy for a belt or more. Dayco, Carlisle and Gates all show belts for a fraction of the cost, Even after exchange and some shipping. $60-80 less is a pretty decent difference. Are all 3 brands decent or should a guy steer clear of any of them? I refuse to support Cat by buying more of their belts, they're the ones responsible for this unfixed issue.

I know now this belt eater needs to be dealt with properly, and this off season that'll happen. For now, at the moment while I'm not making big money, I'd just like to get this dust collector out a couple times before the snows gone again.

Thanks in advance for the input guys.

Jeremy

 

[canuck5]

A belt eater usually comes with a reason something is generating more heat than its suppose to likely due to friction check clutches for broken springs or seized rollers and after that depending on clutch type alignment millimetres can be a difference between cool clutches and and egg boiler. I have used dayco personally not a fan of those. Start with your primary rollers make sure they all spin then check or flat spots on fly weights.

 

[Chronic Cat]

Springs and rollers look great, weights don't appear to have any flat spots. My sled is still basically new. I blew my first factory installed belt at 180 km. I've averaged 200-250km a belt I neglected to mention, before this sled ever saw snow for its first time, I did install the modrods vent kit in the side panels to help a bit with known heat issues.

 

[KatMan]

ive got an older m1000 that goes through a belt every 4-500 clicks, sooner if i dont let it cool down much during hard riding. put better/additional motor mounts in, no help. clutchs are in good shape, deflection and alignment good. id chalk it up to Cat clutchs. some are ok, some are horrendous.

i bought a dayco last year to try. i ride all mountains so hard duty. not really to impressed, blew after two rides. that being said, they replaced it after i submitted on warranty.

i wouldn't buy another dayco, just because of how i ride. you may find you can get the same/better out of a dayco belt. good thing if it blows within 1 year, you should be able to claim a new one, which basically cuts your cost in 1/2.

 

[kanedog]

Put a hercules helix in it. The belt issue should improve greatly.

 

[Chronic Cat]

KatMan, you are yet another example I've now read of someone who spent a bunch of money on parts that "they" (typically a dealer) said would fix the problem and to no avail. I'd gladly spend the money if the place I chose fixing it guaranteed it. We all know that'll never happen though. I'm not interested in trial and error fixes here. Not looking to waste more money on hopeful parts. Belts cost enough.

 

[gunner3006]

This is a common problem with this sled if I remember correctly. A good sled if it’s clutched right. What Kanedog said. With that sled, $500 in clutching is a small price to pay if your chewing belts up at that rate. Jump over to the Cat section cause I believe there is similar clutching threads.

Cheers

 

[rmk600700]

Have had good luck with all brands. Keep the bill of sale and the package and send it for warranty if it blows. All 3 have provided me warranty over the years never denied yet from an aftermarket belt.

 

[gunner3006]

And what I’m saying is you don’t have a belt problem, you have a clutch problem.

 

[lilduke]

From what I read sounds like he has a money problem and doesn't want to buy 500$ clutch parts, and just wants to get a few days of ditch banging in while the snow lasts.

My advice would be get a couple of the cheaper Gates belts and when they blow up, send them back to gates and they will replace them.

 

[Caper11]

Im not familar with cats but I would assume there is a torque stop. Have a look to see if it is adjusted properly, and as mentioned above, the gates carbon belt is a great alternative to oem belts. Plus they warranty them. I hope that gets you out for a rip!!

 

[lilduke]

Im not familar with cats but I would assume there is a torque stop. Have a look to see if it is adjusted properly, and as mentioned above, the gates carbon belt is a great alternative to oem belts. Plus they warranty them. I hope that gets you out for a rip!!

The Gates Carbon belts are over 200$, but Gates has a cheaper line of belts that are around half the price. They aren't as good as the carbon, but its a less expensive option and they still will
warranty them.

 

[0neoldfart]

I had good luck with the Dayco XTX5045 belt, but only after I aligned everything on my 1100T. That said start by checking your center to center, some were a bit long (should be 11.5”). Ultimax makes a slightly longer belt (XS809 I think) that lots of guys have had luck with. Feel free to PM me, I’ve fixed quite a few 1100s, and I don’t mind helping a fellow sledder

 

[Frankenytro]

Sometimes we all have to do what ever it takes to get out on the snow! I remember years back running the ultimax belts on my kitty cause she was eating them up. Lots of warranty and belts replaced due to packaging and paper trails.

After tearing it down at the end of the season I found a broken bulkhead allowing WAYYYYY to much flex and misalignment between clutches. Long story short, she gone! Lol

I will vote for ultimax Jeremy. Have had experience and never declined any warranty.

get 2 for the cost of 1 and get that kitty on the lake!

From what I read sounds like he has a money problem and doesn't want to buy 500$ clutch parts, and just wants to get a few days of ditch banging in while the snow lasts.

My advice would be get a couple of the cheaper Gates belts and when they blow up, send them back to gates and they will replace them.

 

[Caper11]

The Gates Carbon belts are over 200$, but Gates has a cheaper line of belts that are around half the price. They aren't as good as the carbon, but its a less expensive option and they still will
warranty them.

Opps didn’t know that. I didn’t realize there was different gates belts.

 

[Chronic Cat]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I'm well aware it isn't a belt issue, it is most certainly a clutching problem for sure.

I'm not exactly short on cash, just don't wanna start throwing piles of cash at something with no guarantee. I'd be fine spending 5 bills immediately if someone said "jeremy buy these parts for 5 bills and your problem is solved". I've just read to many stories of guys tossing pockets full of cash at them and still no luck.

So do I just send back a grocery bag of belt shrapnel and the cardboard package and receipt?

Of all the belts I've blown, only 1 had tell tale signs it was going and I shut it down prematurely saving a half hour of cleanup.

 

[KatMan]

I can usually tell I’ve got about three-four more good pulls before it gernades. Bit of a weird vibration at wot.

The one I got warranted was starting to delaminate, so it was still whole, fawked, but whole.

not sure how much they would think is damaged enough to get away from normal wear and tear. But if it is damaged after 2-300 k, I’m sure it would still be in spec which should be an automatic new belt.

 

[KatMan]

And yes cardboard box and receipt

 

[lilduke]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I'm well aware it isn't a belt issue, it is most certainly a clutching problem for sure.

I'm not exactly short on cash, just don't wanna start throwing piles of cash at something with no guarantee. I'd be fine spending 5 bills immediately if someone said "jeremy buy these parts for 5 bills and your problem is solved". I've just read to many stories of guys tossing pockets full of cash at them and still no luck.

So do I just send back a grocery bag of belt shrapnel and the cardboard package and receipt?

Of all the belts I've blown, only 1 had tell tale signs it was going and I shut it down prematurely saving a half hour of cleanup.

Yeah just send it back with the package and receipt.

 

[ZRrrr]

I have a 12 1100T. Finally figured out the fixes for blowing belts a few years after purchase. No issues now at 260 horses. I run Dayco XTX5020 and have not blown one yet. As mentioned, measure your center to center and get back to us. Depending on the measurement will depend on the belt to recommend.

When you have the money I too can tell you what I did to the sled. Ron Wards Twister torsional kit for the secondary really helps this sled.